Rooms With a View!

Want to visit NYC next year? If you can make it there…

We’ve got a luxury hotel experience for you to win!!

NOTE: This contest is now over. The winners were chosen using a random number generator. Congratulations to Simon L. and Alexis P. Scroll through the comments to find over 700 ideas and hidden gems to visit on your next trip to New York State!

For the past year, we’ve been working with the luxurious Andaz hotel to develop the Beekman 1802 “Fresh Air” Collection. Now when guests stay at these award-winning properties, they can leave feeling more beautiful than when they arrived with Beekman 1802 products “made fresh in upstate NY” in every room.

The soap and skin care line boasts only natural ingredients, which means no use of parabens, banned phthalates, petroleum, paraffin, diethanolamine or mineral oil. All products are cruelty-free and made with purified water. Product packaging is made of 100% recycled material.

To celebrate the launch of the Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Collection, Andaz is giving away a weekend stay at each of their NYC properties!

The prize includes:

Two nights in a luxury suite

Dinner in one of the hotel’s extraordinary restaurants

Breakfast in bed

Here’s what you have to do to enter:

In the comments section below, tell us about a “hidden gem” (a restaurant, a hiking trail, a tourist attraction, etc) you’ve discovered in NYC or in travels in other parts of New York State. (If you haven’t been to NYS, simply tell us about a hidden gem you’ve heard about or would like to visit..)

Two winners will be chosen by random drawing among all the entries on February 14, 2014.

So start spreading the news!

About Andaz 5th Avenue

Andaz 5th Avenue offers attentive, uncomplicated service in a relaxed, sophisticated environment designed to accommodate guests’ personal preferences and style. Perfectly positioned to experience the dynamic energy of the locale, Andaz faces the iconic New York Public Library and is steps away from Bryant Park in the heart of Midtown. This Tony-Chi designed property features 184 well-appointed guest rooms starting at 322 square feet. The property boasts 47 spacious suites, many with private balconies or landscaped terraces. Andaz offers a range of on-site amenities, including 6,400 square feet of event space in Apartment 2E, complimentary Wi-Fi and mini bars with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, and a 24-hour gym. Guests can enjoy seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine at the shop and unwind in a convivial atmosphere at the bar downstairs. For additional information about Andaz 5th Avenue please visit www.andaz5thavenue.com.

About Andaz Wall Street

Experience the rebirth of Lower Manhattan at the only hotel situated on iconic Wall Street. Andaz is devoted to providing attentive, uncomplicated service and indulgent amenities. The David Rockwell designed property features 253 guestrooms starting at a generous 345 square feet, making them some of the largest hotel rooms in New York City. Andaz offers a variety of on-site amenities, including over 10,000 square feet of event space, complimentary wifi and mini bars with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, a 24-hour gym, and The SPA. Patrons can enjoy seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine at Wall & Water and sample classic pre-prohibition era cocktails at Bar Seven Five. For additional information about Andaz Wall Street please visit www.andazwallstreet.com.

About Andaz

Each Andaz is a boutique-inspired hotel where guests experience a vibrant yet uncomplicated atmosphere geared towards today’s individual business and leisure travelers. Andaz hotels feature a unique and innovative service model that breaks down traditional hotel barriers with signature elements, including Andaz lounges, which are open, communal settings replacing the traditional lobby, Andaz Studios, which are creative and inspiring spaces for small meetings and gatherings, and Andaz Hosts, who assist guests with everything from check-in to recommending and making restaurant reservations. Room rates include minibar snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, local telephone calls and Wi-Fi.

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Comments765

Not being very well traveled, my favorite destination in NY would be Kevin Jacob’s house at a Garden for the House. Love virtual visiting to learn how he whips up his veg garden, and inventive cooking and homemaking skills in his 150 year old home. Love your idea of having people share their favorites. Just may venture out and explore some of their favorites. You all at Beekman are favorites too! Keep up the great work and stay warm!

Rice to Riches!- endless ways with decadent rice pudding. All served with snappy signs like, “No skinny bitches”, “Fat by popular demand”, “Do you want to talk with the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on”! Great atmosphere- a must try if in New York!

I was in NYC the first weekend of Feb and discovered a fantastic little called Kitchenette in TriBeCa. We went for brunch and then went back again for lunch before heading home. It was AWESOME! I am hoping to make it to Sharon Springs someday soon to discover all of its hidden gems as well

With a impromptu trip….not knowing where we were going, my husband surprised me with a trip to upstate NY. Tom knew how much I loved the Beekman Boys, so off to Sharon Springs we went. We were pleasantly surprised on just how quaint and beautiful the area was. Well no reservations were available at the American Hotel…and the Beekman Farm was closed that day as well, but it was such fun exploring the town, shopping and lunch was so enjoyable. We also loved learning all the history of Sharon Springs! We so loved getting a peek at the Beautul Beekman Estate from the roadside, and taking a turn, not knowing where we were heading, we came upon the most beautiful field of sunflowers! We found our way to Fly Creek Cider Mill again by accident, and it’s a place not to be missed! It is truly such a beautiful area of NY state and we look forward to visiting this “hidden gem” again!

There are SO many great gems in NYC…so hard to pick just one. Most of mine are food related. Favorites are Eataly (amazing in every way) and S’mac for incredibly delicious gourmet mac & cheese. The most truly hidden spot of all though is my favorite bar Angel’s Share – an atmospheric speakeasy that feels like a time warp (if you can find it).

I have to say The National Arts Club on Gramercy Park. It is one of those hidden gems that make New York, well, New York. Located in a beautiful old mansion on the edge of the last private park in Manhattan, it is filled with art from the turn of the last century as well as opulent decorations, dark wood, marble floors and objects of beauty every where. I highly recommend a visit. Just tell the doorman you’re there to see the shows, (whichever ones are on at the moment.) Most people don’t know the galleries within are open to the public.

Not a “hidden” gem, but a gem nonetheless- MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art is a wonderful place to spend a day. It has been years since I’ve been to NYC, so I cannot remember the wonderful little place where we savored the delish Chinese food. The combo sounds like a bit of heaven- MoMA and Chinese food.

Our little gem has been Sharon Springs, NY. Specifically to stay – the American Hotel, to eat – 204 Bistro and to shop -the Beekman Mercantile and the Cobbler and Co. For us, Sharon Springs has been the backdrop for a love story that has taken 24 years to come full circle. My partner Dave and I reunited in 2010 after a 17 year hiatus and discovered Sharon Springs in the fall of 2011. It was a place not tarnished by memories of those who had come since our parting in 1993, there were no prior associations, no bad memories. Like us, it was a fresh clean slate. It was filled with passionate, driven and inspired people with giving hearts and generous spirits and it made us happy to be in its presence. It was a testament to not giving up, it was a story of hope. It was a place that gave us peace and happiness. It is the place we will return to this summer to be married and blessed by this small community with a big heart.

In Auburn, NY, about 2 miles off of the main street, is a farm/restaurant called Elderberry Pond. They grow their own produce and most of their own meat. They use organic and sustainable practices. The simple flavor of the food speaks for itself. Plus, one of the owners is a dietitian so staff are knowledgable about medical/health concerns. We try to support this local hidden gem any chance they get.

Nestled in the beautiful Catskill Mountains on NYS Route 28 (between Woodstock and the village of Phoenicia, the Phoenicia Diner is a true gem. No greasy spoon there; great food, warm staff and a midcentury decor will keep you coming back for more. See you there!

St. Mary the Virgin,,, aka “Smoky Mary’s.” It is a wonderful Episcopal Parrish Church
serving Times Square. As an Episcopal Friar, it is one of my favorite places in the world and I love to worship there.

McSorley’s Ale house in NYC is a great place to have a few brews and some old fashioned bar food (cheese crackers onions and homemade mustard) and not a big beer selection just McSorley’s light and dark but it is good and comes 2 mugs at a time.

The Autumn Cafe in Oneonta, NY. I first ate there as a college student in the early 90’s and thought the Aztec enchiladas filled with corn and zucchini with sauce and cheese with a side of brown rice we so full of natural flavor, I fell in foodlove. This year I took my 17 year daughter there while on a college visit and fell in love all over again. Oneonta’s not so far from you guys in Sharon Springs. I’ve been to your store and think you both would dig this place:simple, clean, quality! Check it out, it is a gem.

Not to far from Sharon Springs is a little village called Richfield Springs where my husband was born and raised. In 1990 we traveled there and spent a quite few days visiting friends and family and stayed in a little motel called Fountain View where we spent a romantic weekend. The mountains of N.Y are some of most beautiful I have every seen. Sometimes the more simple of a vacation is the better.

My hidden gem is Kates Paperie. I still believe in the art and importance of handwritten correspondence. I am not ashamed to say that I have spent hours in this shop marveling at what they have assembled for those of us who love beautiful paper products.

Rossini’s Northern Italian and 70 Park Ave. Hotel are my hidden gems when visiting NYC! Have always wanted to try the Andaz and Beekman products there were sure make me feel like I’m home in update NY!

A hidden gem I would send anyone to see is the clock in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria. No matter where we stay, we cut through the Waldorf lobby in the evenings to admire the beauty and history of the clock (and hotel of course!)

I was born and raised in Schoharie County. When I go on vacation or a business trip, it’s such a breath of fresh air to return home to this County. I have to say that the way the people came together after the floods of 2011 is a pleasant memory from such an unpleasant time, that doesn’t happen everywhere. Schoharie County is truly a gem, to use a quote from the Wizard of Oz – There’s no place like home!!! This is so true!!

Upstate NY is host to a cozy little town called Montour Falls. We live about 20 miles away and recently heard about Mirabella’s. The restaurant is next to a small hotel, and about a quarter of a mile down the road from a beautiful water falls that is also a park and lit up at night. Not only is the service warm and friendly, the food is superb. Saturday night features delicious Prime Rib. Water runs down a stone wall, built into a hill. The building has a history of having been a mill.

My hidden gem in NY state is my Mom’s house. She is the heart and soul of our family. When my children were small we moved around the country many times. One of my children came home from school crying because she didn’t know where she was “from”. I told her and the other children that they were “from” Albany NY…grandma’s house in fact. One of my sons just had his grandmother’s address tattooed over his heart!

My hidden gem in NYC is my daughter! She has recently started her first job and her ‘grown-up’ life there and so now my favorite getaway is to visit her and let her show me her newest discoveries in the city that never sleeps! A recent favorite was Eataly. Some much to see and do all throughout NYS.